The Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the orders of the State government allotting 0.27 acres (four grounds and 2,254 sq ft) to actor Vijay in Padi village in Ambattur taluk. Justice P Jyothimani upheld the order dated March 4, 2008, of the Housing and Urban Development department, while dismissing a writ petition from R Karthikeyan.According to the petitioner, the government acquired vast land belonging to his late father for certain development projects.
A portion of the land measuring 0.27 acres remained unused for years. He later came to know that the land had been allotted to Vijay.
Contending that the allotment of the land in question to Vijay was illegal, the petitioner prayed for a direction to the TNHB to return the unused land to his family.
In its counter-affidavit, the Board stated that Vijay was the successful bidder in the public auction conducted in February, 2001, in respect of eight grounds in Kodambakkam-Ashok Nagar area.
When he applied for approval of plan to construct a multiplex building on the eight grounds area, the CMDA informed him that permission could not be granted since the land was likely to be acquired for the Inner Circular Corridor Road Alignment. The Board offered, as per the directions of the government, an alternative site of four grounds and 2,254 sq ft in the Padi village (re-claimed by the petitioner), under the Composite Scheme of Anna Nagar West Extension.
The judge observed that from a reading of the counter, it was clear that what was allotted to Vijay was by virtue of grant of alternative site in lieu of his inability to use the property hit by laying of the corridor. Therefore, there was no illegality or irregularity in the said allotment, the judge said.
